Thursday, March 03, 2011

I'd like you meet someone...Sadly, not a puppy.

This glorious specimen is our newly acquired Eureka lemon tree:

I left off here, after the festival Inspector Climate and I took the train to the nearest nursery to talk about getting a lemon tree. Inspector Climate wanted a Eureka Dwarf lemon because it is a more pure variety of lemon with thicker skin for zesting (ok to be fair, he probably didn't care about the zesting function of the lemon tree - he just liked that it was a purer form of lemon). And we needed a dwarf variety because we are going to keep it in a pot. The nursery we went to didn't have one so we had to wait until last weekend to meet our lovely new friend.

I know what you're thinking...a LEMON tree is how you're starting your path down urban gardening (actually, I have no idea what you're thinking, but I'd love for you to share). It seems like it would be much more useful to be growing some varieties of lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, pumpkin! And all that is very true. But Inspector Climate and I don't live together (yet), and growing a garden with herbs and pumpkins and other delicious things takes time and lots of attention. I am embarrassed to admit how much time I've spent on line looking at how to properly care for our new lemon tree, researching the pros and cons of different varieties, and looking into what is the best kind of pot for our tree.

But the real truth is that lemon trees make me EXORBITANTLY happy. I did a little happy dance all the way to the nursery and I sing a little song that goes like this: LEMON TREE-eeeeeee. And seeing its one little lemon fills my heart.

Is it the only step we will take? Of course not. This week I went to the markets and bought organic produce for my salads. I am constantly thinking of how to incorporate little potted plants into my life that won't take up too much space and will provide us with nutritious delicious food. As winter approaches, we will need to think about winter crops like winter pumpkin and broccoli for Inspector Climate's sister's planter.

But most of all, I like that this baby lemon tree is ours. His and mine. And that is what food should be about: building community, sharing ideas, trading produce, and cooking delicious meals that we share together. And when our lemon is ready, I can't wait to share with you what we are going to do with it!

love the little lemon tree! I think you have developed an emotional attachment to it though and will not be able to bring yourself to eat it...

I walk past a beautiful garden store every day and I love looking at the flowers and potted plants and fruit trees and imaging them on my balcony. I'd love to have a big yard one day to grow all kinds of things!

congratulations!! we have a lemon tree outside our door. i absolutely love it because it's so beautiful (bright yellow and green with pretty white flowers), and it brings dozens of hummingbirds to our yard when it's in bloom. however, i must say, we have way more lemons than we know what to do with. i guess it's time to make some lemonade!

But most of all, I like that this baby lemon tree is ours. His and mine. And that is what food should be about: building community, sharing ideas, trading produce, and cooking delicious meals that we share together.

This is a lovely sentiment. I am quite jealous. All lemons in New England come from somewhere else, as you know!

I look forward to the day when you and IC share a garden and you can photograph it and write about it and dream up recipes for it!

Lemon trees are awesome, and a great way to start growing food! Our lemon tree came with the house, it must be getting on for 30 or 40 years old (do they live that long? I suppose so) and it's huge. It fruits and flowers at the same time, so we have lemons most of the year, and I get quite miffed if there are none ripe when I want one! A lemon tree is one of my favourite things to give as a house-warming present. Well done, and enjoy!(And thanks for stopping by my blog, too!)

awwww look at the cute baby lemon!!!! I love gardening so so much! I have had potted plants in my rental homes (I move a TON!) for the past three years and I have so much fun naming them and watching them grow... ok ok and eating the yummy veggies off of them too!